Could the Utah Jazz trade Walker Kessler in the near future? It's possible.
Does that mean they are going to get rid of him by any means necessary? Of course not.
Sometimes, we must understand that just because the Jazz could potentially trade Kessler does not mean they want to get rid of him as soon as possible. That's further evidenced by the fact that he's been in trade rumors all offseason, and yet all of it equated to pretty much nothing.
Now, there are teams out there that could use someone like Kessler, like the Knicks. Kessler's been a rumored target for them for some time now, and they need a center with Mitchell Robinson out and Isaiah Hartenstein now on the Thunder. So, Kessler makes sense, but the Jazz are not gift wrapping him for them.
That's why The Athletic's James Edwards III's proposed trade below between the Jazz and Knicks involving Kessler doesn't make sense.
Knicks receive: Kessler
Jazz receive: Miles McBride and 2025 first-round pick (via Detroit)
Edwards explained more from the Knicks perspective why they would make a trade like this and didn't delve into the Jazz's side of things. Nonetheless, there are some pretty good reasons why the Jazz wouldn't do a trade like this.
Why the Jazz pass on this
At its core, this is barely anything for Kessler. McBride is young player who could very well have a nice career ahead of him in the NBA. However, the Jazz already have plenty of guards on the roster, and young ones at that. Why would they add another one?
If that's not enough, they still have Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson on the roster, so adding McBride when they have those two, Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, and Patty Mills creates an unnecessary logjam.
Then there's the first-round pick being offered in this trade. The Pistons are one of the worst teams in the league, and Edwards outlined how the protections on their pick used in this deal would work.
"2025: 1-13 stays with the Pistons; 14-30 to NYK; 2026: 1-11 stays with Pistons; 12-30 to NYK if not already settled; 2027: 1-9 stays with the Pistons; 10-30 to NYK if not already settled; and then turns into two second-round picks if not conveyed after 2027."
So, this isn't really that valuable of a pick coming back for Kessler. If this deal were agreed to, it would scream out, "We're just trying to get rid of Kessler," and while he could be available, the Jazz aren't that desperate and probably won't be for some time.
The Knicks and the Jazz could very well agree to a trade involving Kessler if it's clear that the former becomes that desperate for a new center. However, don't expect the Jazz to make it easy for them if they do.